Ramps 1.4 LCD display contrast adjustment?

294 views
Skip to first unread message

April Staines

unread,
Nov 25, 2012, 7:28:46 PM11/25/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
Hi, Im wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

I finished assembling my 3D printer (Hello Thingy) last night and powered it up for the first time.  It went into some sort of demo mode moving all axis back and forth which was highly promising.

However, for what ever reason, the contrast on the LCD is up so high its almost unreadable.  Does anyone know if this is something that can be adjusted?

Inline images 1


-------------------------------------------------------------------
April Staines - Melbourne AU



Scott Penrose

unread,
Nov 25, 2012, 7:34:01 PM11/25/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
I just googled "Hello Thingy" and have to say I love the extrusion colour you chose :-)

I have just ordered an LCD so don't know yet about contrast issue. Which one did you buy?

My MM is missing end stops, so that is something I desperately have to add before going more automatic. 

Did you fix the problem on your blog of parts splitting? I have that problem with some of my prints now. If I get the flow rate (M92 Ennn) right,  and parts print nicely, then I find I have to tweak the temperature up to keep parts together - seems to be a bit of a balancing act.

Scott

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Connected Community HackerSpace" group.
To post to this group, send an email to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to connected-community-h...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

Luke Weston

unread,
Nov 25, 2012, 9:54:26 PM11/25/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
Exactly what display hardware are you using?
Where did you get it? Does it have any documentation online?
Do you have a picture of the board without its plastic case?
Is there a trimpot on the board? Even if it's not specifically labelled with its function, it's likely to be for contrast adjustment, as it doesn't really have any other possible function.

If it's the same as these ones from reprapdiscount, then there appears to be an unpopulated spot on the back of the board for a trimpot, which is possibly for contrast.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Reprap-Ramps-1-4-smart-LCD-controller-inclunding-smart-adapter-including-4GB-SD-/00/s/NzY4WDExNTI=/$%28KGrHqZHJDIE+F9K1ZthBQGI5BlucQ~~60_57.JPG

April Staines

unread,
Nov 25, 2012, 10:07:20 PM11/25/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
thats the same unit.  I will  have a closer look tonight.  I was just wondering if it was a software controlled thing or not.



-------------------------------------------------------------------
April Staines - Melbourne AU



--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Connected Community HackerSpace" group.
To post to this group, send an email to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to connected-community-h...@googlegroups.com.

April Staines

unread,
Nov 26, 2012, 6:27:30 AM11/26/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
Ok, so on closer examination I discover that there is a tiny tiny little adjustment screw just near the SD card reader that just needed to be adjusted.  It also explained why the kit came with a tiny little plastic screw driver, which fitted this perfectly.  I can now see everything on the display clearly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
April Staines - Melbourne AU



Garry Stone

unread,
Nov 26, 2012, 9:23:09 AM11/26/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
The tiny little ceramic screwdriver is more for the trimpots on the stepper drivers, these can be shorted and blown with a metal screwdriver, however same trimpot on the lcd.

On Monday, November 26, 2012 10:27:33 PM UTC+11, April Staines wrote:
> Ok, so on closer examination I discover that there is a tiny tiny little adjustment screw just near the SD card reader that just needed to be adjusted.  It also explained why the kit came with a tiny little plastic screw driver, which fitted this perfectly.  I can now see everything on the display clearly.
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> April Staines - Melbourne AU
>
>
>
>
> On 26 November 2012 14:07, April Staines <aprils...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> thats the same unit.  I will  have a closer look tonight.  I was just wondering if it was a software controlled thing or not.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> April Staines - Melbourne AU
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 26 November 2012 13:54, Luke Weston <reindeer...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Exactly what display hardware are you using?
> Where did you get it? Does it have any documentation online?
> Do you have a picture of the board without its plastic case?
> Is there a trimpot on the board? Even if it's not specifically labelled with its function, it's likely to be for contrast adjustment, as it doesn't really have any other possible function.
>
>
>
> If it's the same as these ones from reprapdiscount, then there appears to be an unpopulated spot on the back of the board for a trimpot, which is possibly for contrast.
>
> http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Reprap-Ramps-1-4-smart-LCD-controller-inclunding-smart-adapter-including-4GB-SD-/00/s/NzY4WDExNTI=/$%28KGrHqZHJDIE+F9K1ZthBQGI5BlucQ~~60_57.JPG
>
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, 26 November 2012 11:28:47 UTC+11, April Staines wrote:
> Hi, Im wondering if anyone else has had this issue.
>
>
>
>
> I finished assembling my 3D printer (Hello Thingy) last night and powered it up for the first time.  It went into some sort of demo mode moving all axis back and forth which was highly promising.
>
>
>
>
>
> However, for what ever reason, the contrast on the LCD is up so high its almost unreadable.  Does anyone know if this is something that can be adjusted?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

David Lyon

unread,
Nov 25, 2012, 7:38:26 PM11/25/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com


On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 11:28 AM, April Staines <aprils...@gmail.com> wrote:

However, for what ever reason, the contrast on the LCD is up so high its almost unreadable.  Does anyone know if this is something that can be adjusted?

Sure.

All LCD's have a contrast adjustment.

What model of LCD is it?  so we can tell you which pin that needs the adjustment.

April Staines

unread,
Dec 4, 2012, 10:51:25 PM12/4/12
to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com
I found the trim pot on this and already fixed it so its all good now.  :-)

-------------------------------------------------------------------
April Staines - Melbourne AU



--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Connected Community HackerSpace" group.
To post to this group, send an email to connected-commu...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to connected-community-h...@googlegroups.com.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages